Broncos’ offense lets team down again in loss to Patriots: By the numbers

The Broncos' defense did its part. The Broncos' offense did not. Sound familiar? (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

The Denver Broncos could only muster a field goal in a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots at home Sunday.

Denver’s defense played well enough to win, but the Broncos’ offense — and their special teams to a lesser extent — let them down.

Here is Denver’s loss to New England by the numbers.

58 — The Broncos rushed for 58 yards on 17 carries. That marks the fifth time this season Denver has rushed for 58 yards or less. It’s hard to win that way. Justin Forsett actually got the majority of the carries, taking 10 of them for 37 yards. Devontae Booker carried it six times for 17 yards. Neither of them forced a single missed tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.

2 — Denver converted two third downs in 13 attempts. On the season, the Broncos are converting just 35 percent of third downs, which ranks 25th in the league.

2 — Jordan Norwood fumbled two footballs Sunday. He fumbled one in the first quarter while trying to field a punt that set up a New England field goal. Then in the fourth quarter, he put one on the ground as a receiver that New England recovered. Rough day for him.

188 — Tom Brady actually had a pedestrian day by his standards. His 188 passing yards were a season-low mark. New England — probably the best offense in the NFL — only averaged 4.3 yards per play. The Broncos’ defense did its part. The Broncos’ offense did not. It feels like we’ve been saying that a lot lately.

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